Pigs in Heaven (1993) by Barbara Kingsolver is a sequel to The Bean Trees. The novel follows Taylor Greer and her adopted daughter, Turtle, as they face the legal and emotional challenges surrounding Turtle's Cherokee heritage. After a media spotlight event involving Turtle, a lawyer from the Cherokee Nation, Annawake Fourkiller, challenges the legality of Turtle's adoption, citing the Indian Child Welfare Act. Taylor, fearing Turtle’s removal, flees with her to Arizona and later Las Vegas, while dealing with her personal relationships, including with her boyfriend Jax. Ultimately, Taylor and Turtle are subpoenaed to the Cherokee Nation, where Turtle reunites with her biological grandfather. In the end, a joint custody agreement is reached, allowing Turtle to spend part of the year with her biological family while staying with Taylor. The novel explores themes of family, identity, and cultural heritage.
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